The Ministry of Housing has begun advertising buildings tenders for 5,000 housing units in the new chareidi city of Charish, located in the Nachal I’ron area of northern Israel, also known by the Arab name, Wadi Ara. Charish is located about 50 minutes from Gush Dan, 75 minutes from Yerushalayim, and 25 minutes from Haifa.

Housing Minister (Shas) Ariel Atias announced the move in a press event in Yerushalayim on Monday. The master plan approved construction of 6,000 units but at this stage, tenders address 5,000. The daily HaMevaser reports that Charish is the first city built in Israel that is designated up front as a home for chareidim, and as such, every aspect of the master plan addresses the chareidi lifestyle. A vaad was formed over a year ago containing “the best of the askanim”, as HaMevaser describes it, citing members of the vaad represent Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and the Chassidish and Litvish communities, and they will make certain the marketing to their respective tzibur is carried out as it should, at the lowest possible price for all for it is explained this is the purpose for the creation of the city, to address the housing crises, the lack of homes in the chareidi community.

Members of this Vaad Askanim include R’ Amir Krispal, R’ Meir Porush, R’ Mordechai Karelitz, R’ Rafi Hoffman, and R’ Rafael Pinchasi. The askanim are meeting with contractors, architects, attorneys and project underwriters towards getting the best deal on every aspect of the project.

One example given is the apartments are constructed and registered to be expanded to 4 bedrooms, and therefore, if and when residents in a building decide to move ahead with the expansion, while they will require a construction permit, the registration and other bureaucratic issues will not be necessary. In addition, they know up front they have the option of expanding when their family situation demands a large home.

The price of a 3 room (2 bedrooms) apartment including land and construction costs is 470,000 NIS. Eligible couples will receive a 100,000 government grant bringing the cost to 370,000 NIS.

3,000 units are scheduled for completion in 18-24 months.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)